NEW ORLEANS -- You really have to salute Jack and Jackie Harbaugh. They are keeping their pledge to be enthusiastically neutral about the Super Bowl game being coached by their two sons.

Friday morning, they attended the joint news conference by 49ers coach Jim and Baltimore Ravens coach John and smiled throughout, betraying no bias. Jack and Jackie then began walking back to their hotel along Convention Center Boulevard.

Almost no one recognized them. But Jack was clearly excited to see fans of either team and greeted them with a fervent impartiality unknown to mankind.

In one block, Jack would spot someone in a 49ers shirt, point at him and shout: "Go 49ers!" Cheers would follow.

In the next block, Jack would spot someone in a Ravens shirt, point at him and shout: "Go Ravens!" More cheers.

It must be great to attend a Super Bowl and root for both teams -- at least until kickoff time.